Fear of cancer recurrence and physical well-being among Chinese cancer survivors: the role of conscientiousness, positive reappraisal and hopelessness.

PURPOSE: The degree to which conscientiousness contributes to well-being in Chinese cancer survivors and the mechanisms through which conscientiousness is associated with well-being remain unclear. Based on Lent's restorative well-being model [1], the current study tested a mediation model of the contribution of conscientiousness, positive reappraisal, and hopelessness to fear of cancer recurrence (FCR), and physical well-being in a sample of 238 Chinese cancer survivors.

METHOD: Participants completed self-report questionnaires. Path analysis was used to analyze the linear relationships between the variables.

RESULTS: The empirical model supported the mediator roles of positive reappraisal and hopelessness. Specifically, the results indicated that conscientiousness was first associated with positive reappraisal, which in turn was associated with decreased hopelessness, resulting in decreased FCR and improved physical well-being. In addition, the results showed that conscientiousness was associated with decreased hopelessness, which was then associated with decreased FCR and greater physical well-being.

CONCLUSION: Conscientiousness confers benefits on FCR and physical well-being through the mechanisms of positive reappraisal and decreased hopelessness.